Cubs chosen to meet with Japanese free agent Shohei Ohtani
Perhaps cushioning the blow somewhat for the Red Sox is that the Yankees have also been told they are out of the running. Due to restrictions imposed by MLB's collective bargaining agreement, Otani is limited to a minor league contract.

"Dr. Crowe and his team are experts in figuring out which antibodies are important, making them in bulk, determining their biology, and then evaluating their effectiveness in animal models of infection", Creech said. Flu shots are available through your health care provider or through the flu clinic at the Coconino County Public Health Services District.

"We're seeing earlier cases, and the predominant strain is H3N2, which is different from prior seasons", he adds.

"A vaccine that might not prevent you from getting the flu might prevent you from getting a serious complication". Everyone age 6 months and older is recommended to get a vaccination.

Last year's flu vaccine was updated to include the new version of this protein, but the egg-grown version had acquired a new mutation.

"I think that the key preventative strategy, regardless of how effective that vaccine is going to be this year in the United States, is to get vaccinated", says Dr. Lopez.

In B.C., for instance, low levels of H3N2 infection have been confirmed since the beginning of the season in late August, but a strain known as B/Yamagata has also been found circulating within the population. "And at the end of the day, to know that we might be able to protect the most vulnerable around us with a universal influenza vaccine - that's a reason to get excited about science".